Pile cutting machine



y July 21, 1959 `8 Sheeis-S'heet 1 Filed Maron 16,1954 a l July 21, 1959 GyH. SANDERS PILE CUTTING MACHINE Filerd March 16, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 mw mw www E mmm @E www MW www www M .EN m2 n S Y MS G .ms mi .www 2 Q9 QQ s @E m Q2 QJ L INVENTOR: GRADY H. SANDERS Jani-@ML ATTORNEYS July 21', 1959- F'iled March 16, 1954 G. H. sANDERs 2,895,209

PILE CUTTING MACHINE 8 sheets-sheet s u. "-1 E i INVENTOR:

y GRADY H` SANDERS 'BY "aw #@QQL v ATTORNEYS.

July 2l, 1959 G. H. SANDERS 2,895,209

PILE CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 y |43 v 57 55 f M5 186 144 f '43 :42 135 y,35 ma 155 ,35 142 I III'- INVENroR 'z f l ATTORNEYS.

July 21', 1959 G. H. SANDERS 2,895,209

PILE: CUTTING MACHINE INVENTOR GRADY H. SAA/Dares ATTORNEYS.

July 2 1, 1959 GfH. SANDERS PILE CUTTING MACHINE' 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 16, 1954 QS NS m@ QB QS n@ LJNS m S ND wm m5 H. Y w 6 HM S Q h L w ATTORNEYS.

July 21, 1959 G. H. SANDERS PILE CUTTING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 16, 1954 m m V m GRA DY H. SANDERS BY oi-ov v ATTORNEYS.

July 21, 1959 G. H. SANDERS PILE CUTTING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent O PILE CUTTEIG MACHINE Grady H. Sanders, Graniteville, S.C., assignor to Graniteville Company, Graniteville, S.C., a corporation of South Carolina Application March 16, `1956i-, Serial No. 416,614

23 Claims. (Cl. 26-10) This invention relates to machines for cutting the pile forming threads of corduroy, velvet and similar fabrics.

As is well known in the art, corduroy and similar fabrics include a :ground fabric or base on which are formed relatively narrow juxtaposed parallel ribs or races which extend lengthwise throughout the fabric and are formed by recurrently floating weft threads substantially throughout the width of the fabric. The ribs or races thus formed are usually of uniform width and seldom exceed one-sixteenth of an inch in width. The usual type of cutting machine for cutting the floated threads in each rib or race comprises a series of disk cutters and a slotted cutter guide associated with each cutter, the guide penetrating the weave between the base fabric and the pile forming threads.

Due to the space limitations resulting from the narrowness of the ribs or races, it is impossible to position the cutter guides in suciently close proximity so they can enter immediately adjacent races and it has been necessary, therefore, to space the guides and their respective cutters so they would operate upon alternate or spaced rows of floated threads forming the ribs or races in cutting the same.

Accordingly, it has been necessary heretofore to pass the fabric through the cutting machine at least twice in order to sever the threads in all of the ribs or races throughout the width of a piece of cloth, alternate ribs being severed in the first operation and the ribs therebetween being severed in the second operation.

It is, therefore, the primary object of this invention to provide an improved pile cutting machine in which the cutters and guides are so arranged that the floated portions of the threads in all of the ribs in a given width of fabric or cloth may be severed with a single passage of the cloth through the machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved pile cutting machine having primary and secondary series of axially parallel rotary cutting blades or disk cutters and corresponding guides, wherein the primary and secondary series of disk cutters and guides are arranged in tandem so the primary series of disk cutters may sever the threads which form alternate ribs or races in the fabric and the secondary series of disk cutters may sever the threads which form the ribs cr races between said alternate ribs or races.

The types of pile cutting machines heretofore in use have been provided with means for longitudinally recipF rocating the series of guides relative to the disk cutters and the fabric and it is still another object of this invention to provide stationary guides and novel means for supporting the latter, since it has been found that the stationary guides operate more efficiently than the reciprocating guides and the use of stationary guides greatly simplies the construction and operation of the machine as compared to pile cutting machines used heretofore. 'Ihe rear free ends of each series of slotted cutter guides 2,895,209 Patented July 21, 1959 penetrate the weave and are supported by the base fabric as it passes over a corresponding cloth platen, straight bar or straight-edge which is positioned immediately adjacent the peripheries of the corresponding disk cutters.

The novel mounting means for each series of cutter guides comprises a vertically adjustable primary guide support or hammer bar extending transversely of the machine and having a groove in its upper rear edge in which the front ends of the corresponding guides are normally supported and, if any one or more of the guides becomes broken or requires replacement or adjustment, the primary guide support can lbe manually adjusted forwardly and downwardly away from the front ends of the corresponding guides to permit free access thereto.

Spaced forwardly from each of the primary guide supports is an auxiliary or secondary guide support which also extends transversely of the machine and is normally spaced below the level of the guides when such guides are supported by the primary guide support. The auxiliary or secondary guide support serves to support the guides intermediate the ends thereof whenever the primary guide support is lowered out of engagement therewith.

Since it is the primary object of this invention to arrange two series of cutting disks and complementary guides in tandem, it is another object of this invention to provide coacting, but separate means, for maintaining the fabric under proper predetermined tension at each of the sets of disk cutters and complementary guides.

It is still another object of this invention to provide separate means for driving each of the series of disk cutters and another separate means for driving the means for drawing the cloth or fabric through the machine so the disk cutters may be initially started prior to initiation of movement of the cloth or fabric thereby thus insuring that all of the lloated threads forming each of the ribs are severed and substantially extending the period during which the blades may operate each time they are sharpened and, also, practically eliminating breakage of the corresponding lguides which has frequently been caused heretofore because of the period required for the blades to reach their normal operating speed, which has resulted in failure of some of the floats to be severed by the cutters.

It is still another object of this invention to provide manually operable means for moving eachof the cloth platens rearwardly away from the cutters or blades, rather than moving the blades relative to the cloth platens or straight-edges, as has been required heretofore, in order to facilitate replacement of one or more of the blade guides.

It is still another object of this invention to provide means for breaking the electrical circuit to electric motors which drive each of the series of disk cutters and the cloth take-up means upon movement of either or both of the primary guide supports downwardly and forwardly away from the front ends of the guides and to also break the circuit to the electric motor which drives the cloth take-'up means upon movement of either one or both of the cloth platens away from the corresponding series of blades and, moreover, to provide means for advancing the cloth through the machine or driving the cloth takefup means in a reverse direction, if need be, while either or both of the primary cutter guide supports are in lowered or inoperative position and while either or both of the cloth platens `are in inoperative position relative to the corresponding series of disk cutters.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure'l is a right-hand side elevation of the improved pile cutting machine;

Figure 2 is a left-hand side elevation of the pile cutting machine; Y

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the improved pile cutting machine with the central portion thereof broken away and with portions of the cutter driving motors and supports therefor .also broken away and showing the Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectionalV View lhrough the machine taken substantially along line 7-7 in Figure 3 and showing all of the operating parts in normal operative position;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View similar to the upper left-hand portion of Figure 7, but

showing the primary guide support and the cloth platen or straight-edge associated with the foremost or secondary series of disk cutters in inoperative position;

Figure 9 is a. transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 in Figure 8, omitting the. central portion of the machine and with parts at the left-hand side of the machine broken away;

Figure l0 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit for the machine.

, Referring more specifically to the drawings, the main frame of the machine comprises right-hand and left-hand side frames broadly designated at 50 and 51, respectively. The side frames 50, 51 comprise respective lower longitudinally extending frame members 52, 53 whose front and rear ends are xed to the lower portions of intermediate and rear upright frame members 54, 55, 56, 57 (Figures 1 and 2). The upper ends of the intermediate upright frame members 54, 56 are fixed to the front ends of upper longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61 whose rear ends are fixed to the medial portions of the respective rear upright frame members 55, 57.

`The rear ends of frame members 62, 63 are fixed to the medial portions of the intermediate upright frame members 54, 56, adjacent the upper ends thereof and extend forwardly therefrom and are suitably secured to the upper ends of front upright frame members 64, 65. Extending rearwardly from the rear upright frame members 55 and 57 are respective upper and lower brackets 68, 69 and 70, 71 which carry at their rear ends respective U-type bearing blocks 72, 73, 74 and 75 in which reduced ends of a cloth feed or left-off roll 76 and a take-up roll 77 are journaled.

Pile fabric or cloth F of the type `comprising a ground or base B on which are formed juxtaposed longitudinally extending parallel ribs or races R of recurrent, uncut oated weft threads (Figure 9), is withdrawn from the feed roll or left-off roll 76 and passes forwardly over a roll or bar 80 spanning the distance between the upper ends of the rear upright frame members 55, 57 and preferably being secured thereto.

The fabric F then extends downwardly and passes substantially half around an idler roll 81 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 7) journaled in bearing blocks 82 carried by the upper longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61. The fabric F then extends over a relatively large idler roll 83, which may also be termed as a hold-back roll, a cloth tension roll or a braking roll. The roll 83 is preferably of tubular construction with opposite ends thereof being closed and from which closed opposite ends reduced portions 84"and 85 extend and are journaled in bearing blocks 86 suitably secured to the upper surfaces of the upper longitudinally extending frame members 60,

61 of the respective right-hand and left-hand side frames 50, 51. In order to insure ample traction between the fabric F and the roll 83 it is preferable that the periphery of the roll 83 is roughened or provided with pins or a suitable abrasive material thereon, preferably card clothing material as indicated at 87 in Figure 7.

The fabric F is drawn downwardly and forwardly at an angle from the braking roll or tension roll 87 and passes beneath a cloth holddown or pressure roll 90 whose periphery is also preferably abrasive or provided with card clothing material thereon. The roll 90 is also shown in Figure 7 as being a hollow roll, opposite ends of which are closed and provided with reduced portions 92 thereon journaled in bearing blocks 94 xed on spacing blocks 95 which are, in turn, suitably secured to the upper surfaces of the longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61 (Figures 1, 2 and 3).

Spaced forwardly of the holddown roll 90 are rear and front or primary and secondary pile cutting units broadly designated at 100, respectively and which will be later described in detail. Since the two pile cutting units 100, 100 are substantially the same, the parts associated with the secondary pile cutting unit 100 will bear the same reference characters as the parts associated with the primary pile cutting unit 100, with the prime notation added and a detailed description will be given of the primary pile cutting unit only.

The pile cutting unit 100 comprises a relatively narrow transversely extending fabric guide bar 101 to which the fabric F passes upwardly and forwardly at an angle from the holddown roll 90. The fabric F then passes forwardly through a stop motion apparatus, to be later described, and then over the upper edge of a cloth platen or fabric platen 102 which may also be termed as a transverse cloth guide or straight-edge. It will be noted in Figures 7 and 8 that the cloth guide 101 and the platen 102 extend downwardly and are formed integral with a cloth guide base 103 so that, collectively, the elements 101, 102 and 103 form a transverse member which is substantially U-shaped in cross section and `which substantially spans the distance between the longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61 and has outwardly projecting relatively thin portions 104 and 105 on opposite ends thereof which rest upon the respective frame mem- |bers 60, 61.

Each of the outwardly projecting portions 104, 105 of the base 103 has a longitudinally extending slot 106 therein which is slidably penetrated by the medial portion of a shoulder screw 107 whose lower end is threadably embedded in the corresponding longitudinally extending fr-ame member. Means are provided for shifting the base 103 with its fabric guide 101 and its platen 102 forwardly and rearwardly, which means will be later described.

From the platen 102, the cloth or fabric F then extends downwardly and forwardly at an angle and successively passes in engagement with relatively small transverse rolls of bars 110 and 111 (Figures 7 and 8) and then upwardly and forwardly substantially half around a roll 110', in the course of which the fabric F passes in engagement with a primary draw-oft roll 113 which is driven at a predetermined speed, as will be later described, and whose periphery is also provided with a suitable abrasive material thereon, preferably card clothing material indicated at 114 in Figure 7.

From the roll or bar 110', the fabric F is drawn rearwardly and then upwardly in successive engagement with a pair of transverse rolls or bars 115, 116. The upper surface of bar 116 is preferably disposed on substantially the same level or slightly lower than the level of the fabric guide 101 of the pile cutting unit 100' and from whence the fabric F successively passes over the cloth or fabric guide 101 and the cloth platen or straight-edge 102'. The cloth or fabric F is then drawn downwardly and forwardly at an angle from the cloth platen 102 of the secondary pile cutting unit 100" and passes partially around an idler roll 117.

The fabric F is then drawn downwardly and rearwardly at a slight angle from the idler roll 117 and successively engages a roll or bar 120 and a secondary draw-off roll 12.1 which is also driven in a novel manner to be later dsecribed and whose periphery is also preferably provided With an abrasive material thereon, preferably card clothing, indicated at 122 in Figure 7. The fabric passes beneath the secondary draw-off roll 121 and then passes upwardly and over a roll or bar 123 from whence it is drawn rearwardly over a roll `or bar 124. The fabric F then passes rearwardly from the roll or bar 124 and is taken upby the take-up roll 77 which is also -driven in a manner to be later described.

All of the rolls or bars 110, 111, 110', 115, 116, 117, 120, 123 and 124 may be rotatably mounted if desired, but in this instance, all of these rolls except roll 117 are stationary. Opposite ends of the roll or bar 119 are fixed in substantially Z-shaped brackets 126 suitably secured to the inner or proximal surfaces of the longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61 and opposite ends of the bar or roll 115 are fixed in the upper ends of a pair of substantially Z-shaped brackets 127 Whose lower portions are suitably secured to the proximal surfaces of the intermediate upright frame members 55, 56. Opposite ends of the .bars or rolls 111, 123 are xed to the upright frame members 55, 56, opposite ends of the bar or roll 110 `are fixed to the `front longitudinal frame members 62, 63 and opposite ends of the roll or bar 120 are iixed to the medial portions of the front upright frame members 64, 65.

Opposite ends of the rod, bar or roll 116 are fixed to thev front legs of a pair of built-up inverted substantially U-shaped frame members 130, 131 fixed on the front portions of the respective longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61. Opposite ends of the idler roll 117 are journaled in bearing blocks 133l suitably secured to projections on Ifront upper portions of the `front upright frame members 64, 65.

The lower ends of relatively short upright bars 134, 134a are suitably secured to the horizontally disposed frame members 62, 63, to the upper ends of which the front ends of respective longitudinally extending frame members or bars 130", 131 are suitably secured. The rear ends of the frame members or bars 130', 131' are suitably secured to the upper yends of the intermediate upright frame members 54, 56, respectively.

Pile cutting units As heretofore described, the primary and secondary pile cuttingunits 100, 100 are `substantially the same and, therefore, only the pile cutting unit 100 will be described in `detail `and like parts associated with the pile cutting unit 100 will bear the same reference characters with the prime not-ation added. The pil-e cutting units i), 100' are best shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9.

It will be noted that the upper front edge of the straightedge or cloth platen 102 is normally disposed in close proximity to the periphery of a series of closely spaced rotary cutting blades or disk cutters 135 which are mounted in the usual manner to rotate with `a cutter supporting shaft 136 (Figure 8). The disk cutters 135 have sharpened peripheral edges and are spaced from each other a distance equal to the distance from center to center of alternate races or ribs R (Figure 9) formed on the fabric F yand are maintained in such spaced relationship by means of spacing collars or sleeves 137, slidably mounted on the shaft 136.

ln this instance, each of the disk cutters 135 has a plurality of circularly-spaced projections 140 on the inner surface thereof which mate with corresponding longitudinally'extending grooves in the periphery of the shaft 136 thereby facilitating removal of the disk cutters 135 and the sleeves or collars 137 from the shaft 136 when desired, but insuring that the disk cutters 135 will rotate with 6 the shaft 136. Opposite end portions of the shaft 136 are journaled in bearing blocks 142 suitably secured to the upper surfaces of the horizontal portions of the inverted U-shaped frame members 130, 131.

It will be observed in Figures 3 and 4 that corresponding ends of the shafts 136, 136 are connected to the shafts of respective electric motors 143, 143 by any suitable means such as universal joints generally designated at 144, 144. The electric motors 143, 143 are fixed on suitable motor supports 145, 145 suitably supported on the 4left-hand side frame member 51 (Figures 2, 3 and 4). The electric motors 143, 143 are connected in series with a switch assembly indicated at 147 (Figures 1, 3, 4 and l0) by means to be later described. The housing of switch 147 is suitably secured to the front surfaces of the front upright frame member 64 and the longitudinally extending upper frame member Associated with each of the disk cutters is a iioat guide or cutter guide 150 of the type commonly used in machines of this character and which is slotted longitudinally thereof to accommodate the lower portion of the corresponding blade or disk cutter 135. These cutter guides 150 may be of the type shown in the patent to C. A. Robinson, No. 1,684,113, and a detailed illustration and description thereof is thus deemed unnecessary.

It might be stated here that the series of cutters 135 and their complementary cutter guides 150 cooperate with the cloth platen 102 in severing alternate ribs or races rof floated weft threads `and the disk cutters 135 and their complementary disk guides 150 and the cloth platen 102' cooperate in cutting the oated weft threads in the ribs or races between said alternate ribs or races.

Referring again to the rear or primary pile cutting unit 104), the rear free ends of the cutter guides 150 normally rest upon the fabric F as it passes over the platen 162 and raise the corresponding threads to be cut, away from the base B of the fabric F, so the corresponding disk cutters 135 sever the threads at the juncture of the disk cutters and the cloth platen 102. The front ends of the cutter guides 150 rest in a groove 151 formed in the upper rear edge of a transverse primary cutter guide support 152 which may also be termed as a hammer bar, since it is employed in lieu of the usual type of hammers heretofore employed for reciprocating the cutter guides 156, the cutter guides 150 remaining stationary during operation of the machine in this instance.

Opposite ends of the primary cutter guide support are suitably secured to or integral with the front portions of lever arms 153 which extend downwardly from the primary cutter guide support 152 and then rearwardly and are oscillatably mounted on a transverse shaft 155, and whose distal surfaces engage the proximal surfaces of the frame members 136, 131 (Figures 3, 7, 8 and 9). lt will be observed in Figure 8 that the shaft 155 loosely extends between the cloth guide 101 and that cloth platen or straight-edge 102 and above the enjoining base 103, and opposite ends of the shaft 155 are suitably secured to the frame members 130 and 131. Each of the lever arms 153 has an arcuate slot 156 therein which is disposed substantially beneath the primary cutter guide support 152. The arcuate slots 156 are generated about the axis of shaft 155.

Each of the slots 156 is loosely penetrated by a bolt 157, one of which penetrates the frame member 130 and has a knob or hand wheel 161i threadably mounted thereon and the other of which penetrates the frame member 131 and has a pair of lock nuts 161 thereon. The lock nuts 161 should be adjusted so the corresponding lever 153 may move relative theneto and the internally threaded knob or hand wheel 166 is provided so it may be tightened on the corresponding bolt 157 to maintain the primary cutter guide support 152 in raised position, as shown in the right-hand portion of Figure 8, during normal operation of the machine.

As shown in Figure 7, each of the levers 153 extends rearwardly beyond shaft 155 and has the upper end of a tension spring 162 connected thereto whose other end is connected to a fixed part of the frame of the machine. The springs 162 normally urge the corresponding primary cutter guide support 152 upwardly to operative position and urge the bottoms of the slots 156 against the corresponding bolts 157. When the levers 153 are in operative position, one of said levers engages the plunger of a normally open switch 163 to thereby normally maintain the switch 163 in closed position during normal operation of the pile cutting machine. The housing of switch 163 (Figure 7) is mounted on a bracket 164 suitably secured to the longitudinally extending frame member 61.

The switches 163, 163' are interposed in an electrical circuit to the motors 143, 143' and the main cloth drive motor in a manner to be later described and are provided for breaking the circuit to said motors whenever either of the primary guide supports 152 or 152', or both, are in lowered inoperative position. It will be noted that the upper portions of the Z-shaped brackets 126 are spaced inwardly from the frame members 130 and 131 (Figure 9) to permit freedom of movement of the front portions of the levers 153 therebetween.

Now, in order to swing the primary cutter guide support 152 downwardly and forwardly away from the front ends of the cutter guides 150, a handle 165 is provided on one end of the hammer bar or primary guide support 152 as best shown in Figures l, 2, 3, 4 and 9. It will be noted that the handle 165 curves upwardly and forwardly and is disposed adjacent the knob 160 in Figures l and 9 so the operator may loosen the knob 160 and then move the handle 165 in either direction to impart corresponding movement to the primary cutter guide holding bar or support 152 and, upon termination of said movement, the nut or hand wheel 160 may then be tightened to maintain the bar 152 in either raised or lowered position, as desired.

Now, as is well known in the art, the cutter guides 150 are necessarily made from a relatively thin flexible metal and their front ends will swing downwardly or bend downwardly when they are not supported in the groove 151 of the corresponding primary cutter guide support 152, such as the manner in which the cutter guides 150 are illustrated in the lefthand portion of Figure 8.

In order to limit such downward movement of the cutter guides 150 and to also maintain the same in substantially parallel relationship, an auxiliary cutter `guide support 166 is provided, which is spaced rearwardly of the bar 152 and is also spaced below the level occupied by the cutter guides 150 when they are in normal operating position.

Opposite ends of the auxiliary cutter guide supports 166 have arms 167 thereon which extend downwardly and rearwardly at an angle and are adjustably secured to rigid arms 170, as by bolts 172. The arms 170 extend downwardly and forwardly at an angle and are fixed to the corresponding shaft 110. `It should be noted that the arms 167 and 170 are spaced inwardly of or between the hammer bar levers 153.

Stop-motion units It will be observed in Figures 7 and 8 that a stopmotion unit is provided in association with each of the pile cutting units 10i), 160 and, since both stop-motion units are identical, only the stop-motion unit associated with the primary pile cutting unit 100 will be described in detail and like parts associated with the stop-motion unit of the secondary pile cutting unit 100 will bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added.

The stop-motion unit comprises upper and lower relatively thin and flat electrode bars 171, 172 between which the fabric F passes immediately prior to passing over the corresponding straight-edge or cloth platen 102 and also between which the rear free ends of the metallic cutter guides are positioned. However, the cutter guides 15G are normally insulated from the electrodes 171, 172 by the base B of the fabric and the uncut floated threads forming the corresponding races R of the fabric F. The lower electrode 172 rests upon an insulation strip 173. The lower electrode 172 and the insulation strip 173 are suitably secured to the upper surface of a frame member 174 shown in the form of an angle bar (Figures 7 and 8). The vertical leg of the angle bar 174 is suitably secured to the rear surface of the cloth platen or straight-edge 102.

It will be observed in Figure 3 that the upper electrode 171 is provided with a pair of forwardly and rearwardly extending slots 176 which are preferably open at their front ends and are loosely penetrated by a headed pin or screw 177 whose lower end is fixed in the lower electrode 172.

Of course, the slots 176 and screws or pins 177 are spaced from each other a greater distance than that of the width of the fabric F. Thus, the upper electrode 171 is supported by the threads forming the races R in the fabric passing therebeneath. The slots 176 are open at their front ends to facilitate ready removal of the upper electrode 171 so the fabric may be easily threaded through the machine.

When the metallic cutter guides 150 are in engagement with either the primary or auxiliary cutter guide supports, these cutter guide supports serve to electrically ground the corresponding cutter guides 150. When any guide or guides 15)y are deflected above the threads which are to be cut, they come in contact with the upper electrode 171 and close an electrical circuit which causes deenergization of all the electrical motors of the machine and which also causes a corresponding warning device, such as an incandescent lamp 180 to be energized.

The lamps 180, 180 are provided to indicate which of the series of cutter guides 150 or 150 has one or more of its cutter guides engaging the corresponding upper or lower electrodes. It follows that, if any of the guides should pass downwardly through the fabric F they would come in Contact with the lower electrode 172 over which the fabric passes and close the electrical circuit in the manner heretofore described with respect to the upper electrode 171.

It will be observed in Figure 7 that the lamp or warning device 18@ is mounted in a xture 181 mounted on the upper end of a hollow post 182 through which corresponding wires or conductors, to be later described, extend and the lower end of the post is formed with a lateral portion thereon for securing the post to a fixed part of the machine which, in this instance, is the corresponding bearing block 142. The electrical connections extending from the electrodes 171, 172 and the warning device 180 and the means for stopping the electric motors will be later described.

Now, as heretofore stated, in order to replace any of the guides 150 it is necessary to shift the straight-edge 102 rearwardly relative to the disk cutters 135 on shaft 136 to provide sufficient space therebetween for insertion and removal of the desired cutter guides 150. To this end, the outer edges of the portions 104, 105 (Figures l and 2) have respective extensively adjustable links 184, 185 pivotally connected thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom. The rear end of link 184 is pivotally connected to a control lever or handle 186 in off-set relation to a shaft 187 on which the lower end of the control lever 186 is xedly mounted.

The shaft 186 is journaled in bearing blocks 190 carried by the upper longitudinally extending frame members 60, 61. The shaft 187 extends transversely of the machine and its end remote from the lever 187 has a collar 191 iixed thereon (Figure 2) to which the rear end of link 185 is pivotally connected in off-center relation to the shaft 187.

The length of the links 184, 185 is so adjusted that,

when the points at which they are connected to the lever 186 and collar 191 are disposed in their foremost positions, the front upper edge of the cloth platen or straightedge 102 is disposed in minutely spaced relation to the peripheries of the corresponding disk cutters 135 as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Fixed to the control lever 186, in substantially diametrically opposed relationship to the point at which the link 184 is connected thereto, is a switch control arm 192, which extends downwardly and engages the plunger of a normally open switch 193 and thereby maintains the switch 193 in closed position during normal operation of the machine. It will be observed in Figure l that the switch arm 192 extends rearwardly from the control lever 186 and engages the plunger of the normally open switch 193 to also maintain the latter in closed position during normal operation of vthe machine.

The switches 193, 193 are suitably supported on the longitudinally extending frame member i60 of the side frame 50. The switches 193, 193 are also interposed in an electrical circuit to the electrical motor for driving the cloth take-up means, in a manner to be later described, and it is thus seen that, upon moving the control levers 186, 186' in a clockwise direction in Figure l, the switches 193, 193 will be opened to break the circuit to the latter electric motor as the cloth platens or straight-edges 102, 102 are moved rearwardly and thereby spaced from the corresponding disk cutters 135, 135', such as the position in which the cloth platen or straight-edge 102' is shown in Figure 8.

Fabric draw-ofi and tensioning means The primary draw-off roll 113 (Figures 4 and 7) serves to pull the cloth or fabric F through the primary pile cutting unit 100 and the secondary draw-off roll 121 serves to pull the cloth or fabric through the secondary or front pile cutting unit 100. The draw-off rolls 113, 121 are preferably of tubular construction, as shown in Figure 7, and closed at opposite ends thereof, from which closed ends respective stub shafts 195, 196extend (Figures l, 2 and 4). It will be observed in Flgure 4 that the shafts 195 are journaled in bearing blocks 200 mounted on respective longitudinally extending frame members 201, 202 and the shafts 196 are journaledm bearing blocks 203 mounted on longitudinally extending frame members 204, 205.

Opposite ends of frame members 201, 204 are suitably secured to the front and intermediate uprlghts 64, 54 of the side frame 50 and opposite ends of the frame members 202, 205 are suitably secured to the front and intermediate upright frame members 65, 56 of the left-hand side frame 51. The outer end of the shaft 195, adjacent side frame 50, has a sprocket wheel and pulley 206, 207 xed thereon which are engaged by an endless sprocket chain 210 and an endless belt 2 11, respectively (Figures 1 and 4). The sprocket cham 210 1s also mounted on a sprocket wheel 212 xed on a shaft 2.13 of a suitable variable speed mechanism generally designated at 214. The variable speed mechanism 214 1s driven by an electric motor 215 (Figures 2 and l0).

There are many different types of variable speed mechanisms which may serve the purpose of the mechamsm 214 in Figures 1 and 3. Therefore, a detailed illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary. It might be stated, however, that the variable speed mechanism 214 may be of a type such as is manufactured by Reeves Pulley Company, Columbus, Indiana, as disclosed in their catalogue No. M-363 entitled Reeves Vari- Speed Moto Drive. The motor 215 and the variable speed mechanism 214 are suitably secured to transverse frame members 216, 216a whose opposite ends are secured to the bottom rails 52, 53 of the respective side frames 50, 51 (Figures l, 2 and'7). It is thus seen that the primary draw-off roll 113 is driven at a constant pre- 10 determined speed whenever the electric motor 215 is energized.

The belt 211 mounted Ion pulley 207 is also mounted on a pulley 217 iixed on one reduced end of the cloth take-up roll 77. Since the pulley 207 is driven at a constant speed, the belt 211 is loose on pulleys 207, 217 so it may slip thereon as the diameter of take-up roll 77 gradually increases to thereby apply tension to the fabric Kbetween the draw-off roll 121 and the take-up roll 77. It is apparent that rotation of the draw-off roll 113 pulls the fabric forwardly from the let-off roll 76 through the primary pile cutting unit and the tension roll 83 is frictionally resisted from rotation under predetermined pressure to thereby maintain the fabric F under predetermined uniform tension between the tension roll 83 and the primary draw-off roll 113. The means for applying frictional resistance to rotation of the roll 83 will now be described.

It will be observed in Figures l, 3; 5 and 6 that the shaft 84 at the right-hand end of the tension roll or braking roll 83 has a friction device or brake assembly broadly designated at 220 mounted thereon, this friction device or brake assembly being of substantially the same construction as the usual type of hydraulic brake used in the automotive industry. The brake assembly comprises a flanged brake drum 221 fixed on the shaft 84 (Figures 5 and 6) and the inner surface of said ange is engaged by brake bands or friction liners 222 fixed to the periphery of a pair of brake shoes 223.

Corresponding ends of the brake shoes 223 are pivoted, as at 224, to a flanged brake shoe supporting disk 225 whose peripheral flange overlaps the flange on the brake drum 221. The yshoe supporting disk 225 is loosely penetrated by shaft 84 and is fixed on a pair of rigid members or strap members 226 which extend rearwardly and are suitably secured to the rear upright frame member 55 of the side frame 50 (Figure l). The ends of the brake shoes 223 remote from the pivoted ends 224 thereof are connected to opposite ends of piston rods 227 which slidably penetrate opposite ends of a hydraulic cylinder 230.

The inner ends of the piston rods 227 have respective pistons 231 fixed thereon and one end of a fluid pressure line or pipe 232 is connected to the central portion of the cylinder 230 (Figure 5). The brake shoes 223 are normally urged toward each other by a suitable spring 233.

Referring to Figure 1, it will lbe observed that the end of the Huid pressure line 232 remote from the brake assemlbly 220 is connected to one end of a hydraulic master cylinder' assembly 234, of usual con-struction, and which has a uid reservoir 235 thereon and suitable means, not shown, for directing fluid to and from the reservoir 235 relative to the cylinder 230. The master cylinder assembly 234 and its reservoir 235 may lbe of any desired or conventional construction or of a type such as is generally used for transmitting fluid pressure to and from the usual brake cylinders of automotive vehicles and, accordingly, a detailed illustration and escription thereof is deemed unnecessary. It might be stated, however, that the amount of pressure under which the fluid is directed from the master cylinder assembly 234 to the brake cylinder 230 is determined by a plunger 236 and by the amount of inward pressure exerted on the plunger 236.

The master cylinder assembly 234 is suitably secured to the vertical leg of a substantially L-shaped bracket or framework 240 Whose vertical and horizontal legs are suitably secured to the respective frame members 60, 54 of the side frame 50 (Figure l) The plunger 236 loosely penetrates the vertical leg yof said L-shaped bracket 240 and is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 241. The bell crank is pivotally mounted, as at 242, on a relatively short arm 243 extending forwardly from the upright leg of the L-shaped bracket 240. The substan- 1 1 tially horizontal arm of the bell crank 241 has a-weight 245 adjustably mounted thereon, the position `of which determines the amount of inward pressure exerted on the plunger 236 and, accordingly, determines the amount of pressure at which the brake liners 222 engage the inner surface of the flange on the brake drum 221.

In order to permit free rotation of the tension roll 83 without being encumbered by the tension device or brake assembly 220, the substantially horizontal arm of the Ibell crank 241 (Figure l) may be moved upwardly by means of a link or thrust rod 246 whose upper end is normally spaced below the horizontal arm of bell crank 241. The upper portion of the link 246 is guided in the horizontal leg of angle bracket 240 and its lower end is pivotally connected to the front end of a treadle or lever 247 pivoted intermediate its ends, as at 250, on the frame member 204. The front end of the treadle 247 extends forwardly beyond the side frame 50 and is adapted to be engaged by a persons foot forimparting downward movement thereto, thereby moving the link 246 upwardly in engagement with the horizontal arm of bell crank 241 and thereby releasing the tensioning pressure from the tension roll 83. Thus, the fabric F may be initially threaded through the machine, in either direction without this operation being encumbered by the friction means 220 of the tension roll 83.

Means are provided for transmitting rotation to the secondary draw-olf roll 121 (Figure 7) and which means tends to rotate the secondary draw-off roll 121 at a slightly greater peripheral speed than that of the primary draw-off -roll 113, but which means is coupled to the lower or secondary draw-off roll 121 by means of a friction device to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the two draw-olf rolls 113, 121 under uniform predetermined tension although the tension in the portion of lthe fabric between the first or primary draw-ofi roll 113 and the tension roll 83 may be varied relative to the tension in the portion of the yfafbric between the two draw-off rolls 113, 121, as desired.

In order to drive the secondary draw-olf roll 121 under predetermined torsional pressure, the shaft 196 at the left-hand side of the machine in Figure 4 has a slip clutch mechanism broadly designated at 252 mounted thereon and which comprises a driven element 253 and a driver element 254. The driven element 253 is suitably keyed to rotate with the corresponding shaft 196, but mounted for axial sliding movement thereon, and the driver element 254 is loosely mounted on the corresponding shaft 196.

There are various types of clutch mechanisms which may serve in the capacity of the slip clutch 252 and, therefore, a detailed illustration and description thereof is deemed unnecessary. The particular clutch mechanism illustrated is of a type known as a Conway Gear Tooth Drive Disk Clutch manufactured by The Conway Clutch Company, 2745 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati 5, Ohio, and as disclosed in their catalogue No. MGT-A.

In order to maintain the driven element 253 in predetermined frictional pressure engagementwith the driver element 254, a pressure applying collar 255 is loosely mounted on the outer end of the left-hand shaft 196 in Figure 4 (see also Figure 2) and this collar 255 has a pair of diametrically opposed pins 256 extending radially therefrom which are engaged by a slotted yoke lever 257. The yoke lever 257 is preferably of built-up construction and its opposite ends are relatively narrow as compared to the central portion thereof. The lower end of the yoke lever 257 is pivotally connected at 260 to the outer end of a bar 261 whose inner end is suitably secured to the intermediate upright frame member 56 of the side frame 51.

The upper end of the yoke lever 257 is loosely penetrated by a threaded shaft 262 whose inner end is suitably secured to the front upright frame member 65 of kthe side frame 51 and on whose outerrend a hand wheel l-Z 263 is threadably mounted. The hub of the driver element 254 of the slip clutch 252 has a sprocket wheel 265 mounted thereon which is engaged lby an endless sprocket chain 266, which chain also engages a sprocket wheel 267 fixed on the outer end of the shaft 195 at the lefthand end of the primary draw-off roll 113.

The-sprocket wheel 265 is necessarily of slightly less diameter than the sprocket wheel 267 so the driver element 254 is driven at a slightly `greater speed than the primary draw-off roll 113 and thereby places the secondary draw-olf roll under torsional pressure, since the driven element 253 is driven through frictional contact with the driver element 254. The amount of torsional force being applied to the lower or secondary draw-off roll 121, and the consequent tension eifected in the fabric F between the draw-off rolls 113, 121, is determined by the position of the hand wheel 263. It is apparent that the positionl of the hand wheel 263 determines the amount of inwardl pressure exerted on the driven element 253 by the collar 255 (Figures 2 and 4).

A It is apparent that, when initially threading cloth' through the machine, the hand wheel 263 may be loosenedV to relieve the tension in the draw-olf roll 121 and during which the fabric may be fed to the secondary drawoti roll 121 by jogging the primary draw-off roll 113 by' means of a jog switch in switch assembly 147.

The fabric F is taken up by the take-up roll 77 which is frictionally driven to place the portion of the fabric extending between the secondary draw-off roll 121 and the take-up roll 77 under relatively light tension as compared to the tension in the portions of the fabric between the draw-off rolls 113, 121 and ybetween the tension roll 83 and draw-off roll 113.

Wiring diagram Referring to Figure l0, the electrical connections between thevarious electrically operable elements of the machine are shown schematically and many of the parts illustrated therein are shown only in Figure l0, since they may be mounted in any desired location on the machine frame or, as a matter of fact, many of the electrical elements may be disposed remotely from the machine, if desired.

`It will be observed that each of the electric motors 143, 143', 215 has a group of three wires or conductors extending therefrom which are indicated at a, a and b, respectively, and which lead into respective normally open relay switches 280, 280', 281. A reversing relay switch 278 is also provided, into which a group of three branch wires or conductors c extend from the group of wires b. Each of the relay switches 278, 280, 286', 281 is of a type which is controlled by a solenoid or magnetic coil, the respective coils being designated at 279, 232, 282', 283.

The relay switches 279, 280, 280', 281 have respective sets of three wires or conductors d, e, e and f extending therefrom which correspond to the respective sets of three wires c, a, a', b. Each of the three wires in each set d, e, e and f is connected to a separate lead wire. Said lead wires are indicated at 2, 3 and 4 and are connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown.

The switch assembly 147 contains normally open pushbutton start, jog and reversing switches 5, 6, 8 and a normally closed stop switch 7. When the push-button startV switch 5 in switch assembly 147 is manually depressed, current ows from the lead wire 2 through the right-hand wire in the group e', to which coil 282' is connected, and thence through coil 282 and a wire 234. ,The wire 284 is connected to one side of switch 163 from the other side of which a wire 285 leads to one side of a normally closed relay switch 286.

`From the other side of relay switch 286 a wire or conductor 287 leads to one side of the push-button stop switch 7 in the switch assembly 147, from the other side of which a wire or conductor 290 leads to a wire or conductor 291. Wire 291 is connected to a terminal which isengaged by switch 5 when it is depressed and, thus, current iiows from switch 163 through wires 235, switch 286, wire 287, switch 7, wire 291 and switch 5 to a wire or conductor 292.

The end of wire 292 remote from switch 5 is connected to one end of a solenoid coil 293 of a time-delay-relay broadly designated at 294 which will =be further described later in this context. From the other end of coil 293, a wire or conductor 295 leads into the relay switch 230. A wire or conductor 296 leads from the medial portion of wire 295 and is connected to one side of the switch 163. The other side of the switch 163 has a wire or conductor 297 leading therefrom into one end of the coil 282l in the relay switch 200.y The other end of coil 232 has a wire or conductor 300 leading therefrom to the centermost of the wires in group e.

Thus, current flows from wire 292, through the coil 293 of the delay-relay 294, through wires 295 and 296, through switch 163, through wire 297, through coil 232, through the wire 300 and the centermost of the wires in Igroup e to the lead wire 3.

It is thus seen that, upon closing the start switch 5, the circuit is completed to the coils 282, 282 and 293 to close the respectiverrelay switches 280, 280 and to energize coil 293 thereby starting the cutter-driving motors 143, 143 and also opening a normally closed switch 301 associated with the time-delay-relay 294. This switch 301 normally establishes contact between a pair of wires or conductors 302, 303, the purpose or" which will be later described.

The time-delay-relay 294 may be of any desired construction and is shown somewhat schematically in Figure l as being of a type having a plunger 304 which is caused to move downwardly upon energization of coil 293. The end of plunger 304 remote from the solenoid coil 293 is connected to a diaphragm 305 disposed in a housing 306, which housing has a suitable air metering valve 307 thereon for retarding upward movement of the diaphragm 305 upon said diaphragm being pulled downwardly so said diaphragm 305 moves upwardly relatively slowly upon being suddenly pulled downwardly by the solenoid plunger 304. v

One side of the housing 306 has a projection 310 thereon to which the medial portion of a lever 311 is pivotally connected, one end of the lever 311 being pivotally connected to an arm 312 projecting outwardly from the plunger 304 and the other end being connected to the switch 301. It is therefore apparent that downward movement of the plunger 304 in Figure 10, resulting from energization of coil 293, causes the switch bar 301 to move upwardly to break the circuit between wires 302 and 303.

When the relay switches 280, 200 are closed in the manner described, the start switch may then be released and current then ows from the lead wire 2 through the coil 282 and through the intervening connections heretofore described to the wire 290 disposed in the switch assembly 147. However, since switch 5 is then open and the relay switch 280 is then closed, current then Hows from wire 290, through wire 291 and through relay switch 280 and, thence, through wire 296, switch 163, wire 297, relay 282, wire 300 and the centermost Wire in the group e to the lead wire 3, thereby maintaining energization of the coils 282, 282, while breaking the circuit to the coil 293.

Thus, a predetermined period after the two cutter driving electric motors 143, 143 have been energized, the switch bar 301 of delay-relay 294 returns to closed position and, since relay switch 280 is then closed, current flows from lead wire 2 through a wire g, through relay switch 280 and through the wire 302 to one side of switch 301. The switch 301 then being closed, current iiows through the switch 301 and through the wire 303,

whose other end is connected to one side of the switch 193'. Although the switches 193, 193 are of the normally open type, they are held in closed position by the switch actuating members 192, 192 and, therefore, current flows from wire 303, through switch 193', through a wire 314 connecting switch 193 with switch 193, through the switch 193 and through wires or conductors 315, 316.

The wire 316 leads to the coil 283 in relay switch 281, which coil is connected to the centermost of the wires in group f, in the right-hand upper portion of Figure l0, by means of a wire h, thus completing the circuit to the coil 233 to close the relay switch 281 and to cause rotation of the motor 215 to impart forward movement to the fabric F of predetermined period after the cutter disks 135, have started rotating.

It will be observed in the right-hand portion of Figure l0 that, when the normally closed stop switch 7 in the switch assembly 147 is opened or either or both of the switches 163, 163 are permitted to open by moving the corresponding hammer bars or primary cutter guide supports 152, 152 downwardly in either Figure 7 or 8 to inoperative position, the circuit to the coils 282, 282 in relay switches 280, 280 is broken to permit the relay switches 280, 280' to open thus stopping the electric motors 143, 143. Of course, when the relay switch 280 is permitted to open, the connection between wires g and 302 is broken so the coil 283 will then be de-energized and thereby permit the relay switch 281 to open to stop the electric motor 215.

ln other words, the electric motor 215 cannot operate unless the two electric motors 143, 143 are operating. It should also be noted that, when either or both of the cloth platens or straight-edges 102, 102 are moved rearwardly permitting either or both of the corresponding switches 193, 193 to open, this also breaks the circuit to the coil 283 to stop the fabric-feeding electric motor 215, although the cutter-driving electric motors 143, 143 may then continue operation.

When so desired, the electric motor 215 may be energized independently of the motors 143, 143 for feeding the fabric F through the machine in either direction whenever this may be necessary. The jog switch 6 in switch assembly 147 is employed for controlling the forward movement of the fabric F in this instance. It will be noted that, when the jog switch 6 is closed, current iiows from the lead wire 3 through the centermost of the wires in group f in the upper right-hand portion of Figure l0 and successively through wire h, coil 283 of relay switch '281, wire 316 and jog switch 6. The other side of switch 6 has a wire or conductor 320 connected thereto which leads to the lead wire 2, thus completing the circuit to the coil 233 to energize motor 215 for forward rotation.

In order to reverse the motor 215, corresponding ends of wires or conductors 317, 318 lead from opposite sides of the normally open reversing switch 8 to the coil 279 in relay switch 278 and lead wire 2 respectively. A conductor leads from coil 279 to the right-hand wire in group d and, when switch 8 is held in closed position, coil 279 is energized to close relay switch 278. It should be noted that, whereas the center and right-hand wires in group f are connected to the respective lead wires 3 and 2, the center and right-hand wires in group d are connected to the respective lead wires 2 tnd 3 so that closing of relay switch 273 reverses the electric motor 215 as compared to closing of relay switch 231.

The relay switch 286 is controlled by the stop motion units including the electrodes or contact bars 171, 172, 171 and 172 so that when any one or more of these electrodes are grounded in the manner heretofore described, the switch 236 will open to thus function in the same manner as each of the switches 7, 163, 163 for stopping all of the electric rnotors 143, 143', 215. To this end, it will be observed in the left-hand central portion of Figure l0 that the electrodes 171, 171', 172, 172 have corresponding ends of respective conductors or V wires 321, 3.21', 322, 322 connected thereto, the other ends of conductors 321, 321 being connected to the respective conductors 322,- 322.

The other ends of the conductors 322,` 322 are connected to one end of corresponding relay coils 323, 323 which are parts of the relay switch 286 and which, upon being energized, open the switch 2856. The coils 323, 3Z3 also have respective wires or conductors 324, 324 leading therefrom to corresponding ends of coils 32S, 325 of respective relay switches 326, 326". Corresponding ends of wires or conductors 327, 327 are also connected to the respective coils 325, 325", the other end of wire 327l being lconnected intermediate the ends of wire 327 and the other end of wire 327 being connected to one end of the secondaryrcoil of a transformer 33d which coil isgrounded at 331. The primary coil of the transformer 330 has a pair of wires or conductors 332, 333 leading therefrom to the respective lead wires 3 and 2.

The lead wires 2 and 3 aretalso connected to opposite ends of a primary coil of a second transformer 334 to the secondary of which a pair of wires or conductors 333, 335 are connected. One end of a wire or' conductor 336 is connected intermediate the ends of wire 335 and the other end of which is connected to one side of the normally open relay switch 326. The Wire 335' leads to one s'ide'of a relay switch 326'; The other sides of the relay switches 326, 326 have respective wires 337, 337 leading therefrom to the respective warning devices 130i, 18W which are shownin the form of incandescent lamps in the upper left-hand portion of Figure l0. The other side of warning device 180' haswire 335 connected thereto and the other side of warning device 180 `has a Wire or conductor 340 leading therefrom to the wire 335.

- It is thus seen that, upon either of the electrodes in the two sets 171, 172, 171', 172 being grounded in the manner heretofore described, the respective coils 323, 323' are energized to open the relay switch 286. Also, upon the coils 323 or 323 being energized, the respective coils 325, 325 are energized to close the respective relay switches 326, 326' and .to thereby energize the respective lamps or warning devices 180, 180'.

It is thus seen that I have provided animproved pile cutting machine having two sets or series of cutting blades or disk cutters arranged in tandem and said series of cutters having complementary series of cutter guides associated therewith and an improved cloth platen associated with each series of cutters and cutter guides.

Means are provided for advancing the cloth or fabric through the machine while maintaining the same under predetermined constant tension at each of the pile cutting units and wherein lthe cutting blades or disk cutters in both groups are initially started a predetermined period prior to starting the movement of the cloth or fabric ythrough the machine, thereby insuring that the cutters are rotating at a sufficient speed to readily sever the threads forming the races or ribs in the fabric. It will be noted that I have also provided novel means for mounting each of the series of cutter guides with means for automatically stopping the machine upon the primary guide supports being lowered relative to the cutter guides to thereby prevent possible injury to the operator in repairing or replacing any of the cutters or cutter guides, the tandem arrangement of the cutters and the arrangement of the associated parts being provided to the end that closely adjacent parallel races or ribs of iioated threads on the base of the fabric may be severed by passing the fabric through the machine in a single operation.

In the drawings and specication there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are, employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope; of the invention being, dened in the claims. i'

I claim:

l. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of first and second series of disk cutters, the cutters in the second series being staggered with relation to the cutters in the first series, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads and means for feeding fabric past said cutters in sequence, a movable straight edge positioned adjacent the lower portions of each series of cutters and over which the fabric passes as the threads are severed, manually operable means for moving each of said straight edges toward and away from its series of cutters, and means responsive to movement of a straight edge away from its cutters for stopping the machine.

2. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of first and second series of rotary cutters mounted on substantially horizontal parallel axes, the cutters in the second series being in staggered relation to the cutters in the iirst series, means for feeding the fabric past said series of cutters in sequence and a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a cutter guide support spaced in advance of each series of cutters and having means thereon for supporting the ends of said guides remote from the fabric in stationary position during normal operation of the machine, and means for lowering and raising said cutter guide supports out of and into engagement with the cutter guides to facilitate repair and replacement of said guides.

3. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of rst and second rows of rotary cutters mounted on substantially horizontal parallel axes, means for feeding the fabric past said rows of cutters in sequence, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, means for driving said cutters, a cutter guide support spaced in advance of each row of cutters for supporting the ends of said guides remote from the fabric in stationary position during normal operation of the machine, means for lowering and raising said cutter gtiide supports out of and into engagement with said cutter guides to facilitate repair and replacement of said guides, and means responsive to movement of said guide support away from said' cutters for stopping said cutters and said fabric feeding means.

4. yIn a machine for cutting closely spaced rows of threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of rst and second rows of rotary cutters mounted on substantially horizontal parallel axes, the cutters of one row being staggered with respect to the cutters of the other row, means for feeding the fabric past said rows of cutters in sequence, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, means for driving said cutters, a cutter guide support spaced in advance of each row of cutters for supporting the endsof said guides remote from the fabric in stationary position during normal operation of the machine, means for lowering and raising said cutter guide supports out'of and into engagement with the cutter guides to facilitate repair and replacement of said guides, and means responsive to movement of said guide support away from said cutters for stopping said fabric feeding means. i

5. In a machine for cutting closely spaced rowsof threads of fabrics to forma pile thereon, the combination of first and second rows of rotary cutters mounted on substantially horizontal parallel axes, means for sequentially feeding the fabric past said rows of cutters, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, means for driving said cutters, a cutter guide support spaced in advance of each row of cutters for supporting the ends of said guides remote from the fabric in stationary posisesgos 17 tion during normal operation of the machine, means for lowering and raising said cutter guide supports out of and into engagement with the cutter guides to facilitate repair and replacement of said guides, and means responsive to movement of said guide support away from said cutters for stopping said cutters.

6. In a machine for cutting closely spaced groups of threads of fabric to form a pile thereon; the combination of two sequentially spaced rows of driven rotary cutters, each row having a plurality of individual cutters mounted on substantially horizontal axes and a guide for each of said cutters adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a movable straight-edge normally positioned in closely spaced parallel relation to the lower portions of each row of cutters and over which said fabric passes as the pile forming threads are severed, means for feeding said fabric past said cutters, means for individually shifting each of said straight-edges away from and toward the corresponding row of cutters, and means operable automatically upon shifting each straight-edge away from the corresponding row of cutters to cause cessation of movement of said fabric past the cutters.

7. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination o-f iirst and second series of spaced rotary cutters arranged in tandem and mounted on substantially horizontal axes, the cutters in the second series being staggered relative to the cutters in the rst series so as to cut alternate groups of threads from those cut by the cutters in the first series, a series of guides cooperating with each of said series of rotary cutters and being adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a normally stationary primary guide support engaging the ends of the guides in each series remote from the ends thereof which enter the fabric, means for adjusting the primary guide support downwardly and upwardly relative to the corresponding series of guides, and means Vnormally spaced below each of said series of guides for supporting the medial portions thereof upon the corresponding primary guide support being lowered out of engagement with the corresponding guides. l

8. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of first and second series of rotary cutters arranged in tandem and disposed on substantially horizontal axes, the cutters in the second series being staggered relative to the cutters in the iirst series so as to cut alternate groups of threads from those cut by the cutters: in the first series, a first ser-ies of normally stationary slotted guides through which the Ilower portions of the rst series of cutters extend and being adapted to enter the fabric between the body portionl thereof and alternate rows of pile forming threads, a second series normally stationary slotted guides through which the lower portions of the respective cutters in the second series extend and adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the rows of pile forming threads between said alternate rows, means for feeding the fabric past the rst series of cutters under predetermined tension, means cooperating with the last-named means for feeding the fabric past the second series of cutters under predetermined tension and wherein the means for lfeeding the fabric past the first and second series of cutters are independently controlled.

9. In a pile cutting machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely oating threads on a sheet of fabric, first and second series of rotary cutters arranged in tandem, a normally stationary guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body prtion thereof and the pile forming threads, means supporting the fabric immediately adjacent the rear lower portions of the peripheries of each of said series of cutters, means for feeding rthe fabric successively past the first and second series of cutters, means for maintaining the portions of fabric moving past each series of Cute ters under predetermined independent tension, and the cutters i-n the first ser-ies being so spaced as to sever certain spaced rows of pile forming threads and the cutters in the second series being staggered relative to the cutters in lthe first series so as to sever certain rows of threads between said spaced rows of threads.

l0. In a pile cutting machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely floating threads on a sheet of fabric, at least two series of rotary cutters ar,- ranged in tandem, each series comprising a plurality of horizontally spaced driven rotary cutters, a normally stationary guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between `the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, means supporting the fabric immediately adjacent the lower portions of each of said series of cutters, said supporting means being manually movable away from said cutters, means for feeding the fabric successively past the two series of cutters, means for independently controlling the tension of the fabric adjacent each series of cutters, the cutters in the first series being alternately spaced relative to the cutters in the second series, and means operable upon the supporting means being moved` away from the cutters to cause cessation of movement of the fabric past the cutters.

11. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination with iirst and second series of rotatable cutters mounted on substantially horizontal parallel axes, the cutters of the second series being spaced in staggered relation to the cutters of the first series, means f or feeding the fabric past said cutters andv a guide forI each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, of a cutter guide support spaced in advance of the point at which the pile forming threads are severed by said cutters and having means thereon for supporting the ends of said cutter guides remote from the fab-ric in stationary position during normal operation of the machine, means for lowering and raising said cutter guide supports out of and into engagement with the front ends of said cutter guides to facilitate repair and replacement of said guides, means for driving said cutters, means to delay operation of the means for feeding the fabric past the cutters for a predetermined period after the means for driving the cutters has been initially started, and means operable automatically for stopping the means for driving the cutters and the means for feeding the fabric when said guide support is moved downwardly away from the ends of ,said guides, remote from the fabric.

l2. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely floated threads of fabric to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a plurality of axially alined spaced rotary cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, the rotary cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the rotary cutters in the secondary unit, a slotted guide through which the lower portion of each rotary cutter extends and being adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straightedge for each unit for supporting the fabric at the points at which the pile forming threads are severed, a driven first draw-off roll lin engagement with which said fabric passes in ,its course between the primary and secondary units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the rst draw-off roll draws the fabric through the primary cutting unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-off roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit and in engage- 19 ment with which said fabric passes, a driving connection between the rst draw-oif and the second draw-off roll tending to rotate the second draw-off roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of 'the rst draw-off roll, and a slip clutch interposed in said driving connection whereby the first draw-oif roll effects predetermined torsional pressure to the second draw-off roll to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the rst and second draw-off rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric between the tension roll and the first draw-olf roll.

13. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending lrows of transversely floated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, p

asecondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary 'cutting unit, each unit comprising a plurality of axially alined spaced rotary cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, the rotary cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the rotary cutters in the secondary unit, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric at the points at which the pile forming threads are severed, a driven first draw-olf roll disposed between the primary and secondary cutting units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary cutting unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-off roll draws the fabric through the primary cutting unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-olf roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit, a frictional driving :connection between the first draw-olf roll and the second draw-olf roll tending to rotate the second draw-off roll yat a greater peripheral speed than that of the tirst drawoif roll whereby the first draw-off roll effects predetermined torsional pressure to the second draw-olf roll to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the first and second draw-olf rollsunder predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric between the tension roll and the rst draw-off roll, separate means for driving the rotary cutters of each cutting unit, and means operable automatically -for stopping the draw-olf rolls and the cutters of both cutting units upon any one or more of said guides being diverted from its normal position in thefabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads.

14. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely oated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of ra primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a plurality of axially spaced rotary cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, the cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit,

a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric at the points at which the pile forming threads are severed, a driven lirst draw-off roll in engagement with said fabric passes in its course between the primary and secondary cutting units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through Vthe primary cutting unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-olf roll draws the fabric through the primary cutting unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-olf `roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit and in engagement with which said fabric passes, means for driving the second draw-olf roll and tending to rotatethe second draw-olf roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the first draw-olf roll, a slip clutch interposed between the latter driving means and the second drawoif roll to thereby maintain the portionof the fabric between the rst and second draw-olfrolls under prede-:f7.5

20 termined ltension independently of the tension maintained inthe fabric between the tension roll and the rst drawoif roll, means for adjusting said straight-edges supporting the fabric toward and away from the corresponding rotary cutters, and means operable automatically for stopping said draw-olf rolls upon at least one of said straightedges being moved a predetermined distance away from the corresponding cutters.

`15. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely oated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a plurality of spaced cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal plane, the cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straightedge for each unit for supporting the fabric adjacent the corresponding cutters, a driven rst draw-olf roll disposed between the primary and secondary cutting units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary cutting unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-off roll draws the fabric through the primary cutting unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-olf roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit, means for driving the second draw-olf roll and tending to rotate the second draw-off roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the first draw-off, an adjustable friction clutch interposed between the latter driving means and the second draw-off roll to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the first and second draw-off rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric 'between the tension roll and the rst draw-olf roll, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of said draw-off rolls for moving the fabric in a reverse direction through said cutting units.

16. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely oated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a row of spaced rotary cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, the cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit, a guide for each rotary cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric adiacent corresponding cutters, a driven first draw-off roll disposed between the primary and secondary units, a tension roll in engagement with lwhich the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary cutting unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-off roll draws the fabric through the primary unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-off roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit, means tending to drive the second drawoff roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the first draw-off roll under predetermined torsional pressure to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the first and second draw-olf rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric between the tension roll and the first draw-olf roll, separate means for driving the cutters in each of said cutting units, and means operable automatically for a predetermined period following the initiation of rotation of said cutters for actuating the means for driving said drawoif rolls.

17. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely iioated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a row of axially spaced disk cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal taxis, the cutters of the-"primary unit being disposed in staggeredt're'lation to the cutters in the secondary unit, aslotted guide through which the lower portion of each cutter extends and adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric adjacent corresponding cutters, a driven first draw-off roll spaced between thel primary and secondary units, a. tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary cutting unit, means'retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-olf roll draws the fabric through the primary unit under predetermined tension, a second draw oi roll disposed subsequent to the secondary unit, means tending to drive the second draw-orf roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the Vfirst draw-off roll under predetermined torsional pressure to thereby maintain the portion f the fabric between the firstl and second draw-off rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintainedy in the fabric between the tension roll and the first draw-off roll, separate means for driving the cutters in each of said cutting units, means in each of said cutting units for supporting the ends ofthe slotted guides remote from the ends thereof which enter. said fabric,.means for adjusting said slotted guide supporting means toward and away from said slotted guides, and means operable automatically upon moving at least one of said slotted guide supporting means away from the corresponding slotted guides for stopping the cutters and the draw-off rolls.

18. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely floated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a row of axially sp-aced `disk cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, the cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit, a slotted guide through which the lower portion of each cutter extends and adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric -adjacent corresponding cutters, a driven first draw-off ro'll spaced between the primary and secondary units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary cutting unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-off roll draws the fabric through the primary unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-olf roll disposed subsequent to the secondary unit, means tending to drive the second draw-off roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the iirst draw-off roll under predetermined torsional pressure to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the first and second draw-olf rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric between the tension roll and the first dra-W- off roll, separate means for driving the cutters in each of said cutting units, means in each of said cutting units for supporting the ends `of the slotted guides remote from the ends thereof which enter said fabric, means for ad-l justing said slotted guide supporting means toward and away from said slotted guides, means operable automatically upon moving at least one of said slotted guide supporting means away from the corresponding slotted guides for stopping the cutters and the draw-oft` rolls, and means for actuating said means for driving the drawoif rolls independently of the means for driving said cutters.

19. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely floated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a row of axial- 22 ly spaced disk cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, the cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit, a sloted guide through which the lower portion of each cutter extends and adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pi-le forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric adjacent corresponding cutters, a driven rst draw-off rol'l spaced between the primary and secondary units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through the primary cutting unit, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-off roll draws the fabric through the primary unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-off roll `disposed subsequent to the secondary unit, means tending to drive the second draw-olf roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the first draw-off roll under predetermined torsional pressure to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the first and second draw-olf rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric between the tension roll and the first draw-olf roll, separate means for driving the cutters in each of said cutting units, means in each of said cutting units for supporting the ends of the slotted guides remote Ifrom the ends thereof which enter said fabric, means for adjusting said slotted guide supporting means .toward and away from said slotted guides, means operable automatically upon moving at least one of said slotted guide supporting means away from the corresponding slotted guides for stopping the cutters and the draw-off rolls, means for effecting operation of said means for driving the draw-off rolls independently of the means for driving the cutters, and said last-named means also being operable to effect rotation of said drawoif rolls in either direction.

20. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of transversely floated threads of lfabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit comprising a row of spaced cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal plane, the cutters of the primary unit being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each unit for supporting the fabric adjacent corresponding cutters, a driven irst drawoff Vroll disposed between the primary and secondary cutting units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes Iin advance of passing through the primary cutting uni-t, means retarding rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-olf roll draws the fabric through the primary cutting unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-off roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit, means tending to rotate the second draw-off roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the first draw-oif roll, and a friction device interposed between the last-named means and the second draw-off roll to thereby maintain the portion of the fabric between the first and second draw-off rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in the fabric between the tension roll and the first draw-olf roll.

21. In a machine for cutting longitudinally extending rows of tranversely floated threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon; the combination of a primary cutting unit, a secondary cutting unit spaced subsequent to the primary cutting unit, each unit -comprising a row of spaced cutters mounted on a substantially horizontal plane, the cutters of the primary uni-t being disposed in staggered relation to the cutters in the secondary unit, a guide for each cutter adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a straight-edge for each nuit for supporting the fabric adjacent corre-v sponding cutters, a driven irst draw-off roll disposed between the primary and secondary units, a tension roll in engagement with which the fabric passes in advance of passing through lthe primary unit, means retarding the rotation of the tension roll under predetermined pressure whereby the draw-o roll draws the fabric through the primary unit under predetermined tension, a second draw-off roll disposed subsequent to the secondary cutting unit, and means tending to rotate the second draw-olf roll at a greater peripheral speed than that of the rst draw-o roll under predetermined torsional pressure, to thereby maintain the portion of the -fabric between the first and second draw-0E rolls under predetermined tension independently of the tension maintained in -the fabric between the tension roll and the rst draw-oft' roll.

22. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of closely spaced irst and second successive series of driven cutters and cooperating guides therefor adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming 20 threads, a guide support engaging each series of guides for supporting said guides in a stationary position during normal operation of the machine, the cutters in the second series being so spaced that they substantially bisect the 'radial planes of the cutters in the rst series whereby the cutters in the iirst series cut alternate groups of pile forming threads and the cutters in the second series cut the remaining alternate groups of pile forming threads.

` 23. In a machine for cutting the threads of fabrics to form a pile thereon, the combination of closely spaced iirst and second series of cutters and cooperating guides therefor adapted to enter the fabric between the body portion thereof and the pile forming threads, a guide support adjacent each series of guides for supporting said guides in stationary position during normal operation of the machine, the cutters in the first series being so spaced as to sever alternate rows of said pile forming threads, the cutters in the second series being staggered relative to the cutters in the first series so as to sever the rows of pile forming threads between said alternate rows, means for driving said cutters and means for drawing said fabric past said first and second series of cutters.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 806,204 stansfiold Dec. 5, 1905 907,334 Gildard Deo. 22, 1908 1,484,294 Boyd Feb. 19, 1924 1,684,113 Robinson sept. 11, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,739 Great Britain 1901 40,884 Austria Feb. 10, 1910 

